Depastrum cyathiforme
Stauromedusae UK - An online guide to the Stalked jellyfish (Stauromedusae)
found around the coastal waters of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Includes notes on their identification, and where and how to find them.
Historically as Lucernaria cyathiforme, Carduella cyathiformis, Calcinaria cyathiformis, Depastrella carduella, Depastrella allmani, Depastrella polare Lucernaria stellifrons and Depastrum stellifrons.
Depastrum originates from Latin, depas, to feed; and trum meaning center. The specific epithet cyathiforme from the Latin 'cyath', for cup, and 'forme', referring to shape; so aptly describing a cup-shaped animal that feeds at its center. Gosse refers to the species as the Goblet Lucernaria. Lucernaria, was historically the genus used for most, if not all members of the group, 'lucern' originating from the Latin for lamp, and 'aria' from 'open space', probably describing the open center or the mouth.
WoRMS taxon details for -
Depastrum cyathiforme (M. Sars, 1846) - External Link
CURRENT UK STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION UNKNOWN. SPECIES MAY BE IN SERIOUS DECLINE. ASSESSMENT OF STATUS REQUIRED FROM HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT SITES. SEE RECORDS BELOW. DIGITAL IMAGES OF THIS SPECIES REQUIRED HERE TO PROMOTE IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING.
Illustration of Depastrum cyathiforme to the right was found under the synonym of Depastrella carduella Haeckel, 1880; and taken from "DAS SYSTEM DER MEDUSEN. ERSTER THEIL EINER MONOGRAPHIE DER MEDUSEN. VON DR. ERNST HAECKEL. 1879." (Click on species name for larger plate)
Brief Description
- Calyx urn or goblet-shaped, overall appearance of calyx and stalk (peduncle) quite thistle-like in lateral view.
- Oral face approx. 6-10mm wide and 12(-14)mm in height.
- Stalk (peduncle) as long as calyx, flexible, contractile.
- Bell margin sinuous, wavy, no arms.
- 1-3 primary tentacles in each perradii and interradii, 8-15 tentacles on each of the eight adradii.
- Grey-brow in colour with ripe gonads whitish to pinkisk.
- Pale dusky brown or grey. Ref: Gosse.
Specimens found at Roscoff in July 1976 were described as being whitish-pink. Ref: Travaux de la Station Biologique de Roscoff (N.S.), 23: 3-4. A record of the stauromedusa Depastrum cyathiforme (M Sars, 1846) in France. den Hartog, JC., 1976.
Habitat
- Under stones, in rock-crevices and on fucoid-covered boulders, at and below LWN. Dr Alan Southward.
Ref: Marine Fauna of the Isle of Man and its surrounding seas. L.M.B.C Memoir on Typical British Marine Plants and Animals No. 36, Liverpool University Press, 307 pp.. Bruce, J.R., Colman, J.S. and N.S. Jones (1963).
Distribution (19th Century)
NE Atlantic. From Canary Islands off NW Africa, to Norway; including England, Scotland, Isle of Man and Ireland.
A brief report into the island or near island sites for Depastrum cyathiforme around the UK and Ireland (David Fenwick. 08.05.14).
From records dated between 1846 and 1951.
Scotland - Recorded at six sites (approx.) - all six are on islands, local geology unknown.
Isle of Man - Recorded at three sites, all are obviously island sites. 2 sites possibly on limestone.
England - Recorded at 10 sites (approx.), five are island of close island sites, four sites identified with possibly local strong currents, one site (not clear) but in lee of Island of Portland / Portland Harbour, local currents unknown. 4 sites possibly limestone or near to limestone / one possibly on chalk.
Ireland - Recorded at two sites - both island and close island sites, local geology reported as granite at Dalkey Sound.
Of 21 Sites around UK and Ireland, Depastrum cyathiforme occurs at 16 island or near island sites, 5 non-island sites where species may be present because of strong or local currents, or other reason, such as geology. 7 sites possibly influenced by limestone / chalk geology.
76.2% Island, and or, near island sites.
23.8% Sites with potentially strong local currents (non-island).
Possibly at least 33.3% on limestone / chalk deposits, but more research needed into geological influences in relation to rock type, environment and habitat.
Other island, or near island sites in the UK and Ireland may be considered for the species. e.g. Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight, Isle of Angelsey, Western Isles of Scotland, Shetland and Valentia Island, Ireland. Even smaller islands may be important in terms of local currents e.g. St. Michael's Mount, Penzance, Cornwall.
Breeding
- Gonads full, Apr.-Sept.; spawning during night, Sept.. Dr Alan Southward.
Ref: Marine Fauna of the Isle of Man and its surrounding seas. L.M.B.C Memoir on Typical British Marine Plants and Animals No. 36, Liverpool University Press, 307 pp.. Bruce, J.R., Colman, J.S. and N.S. Jones (1963).
This species was possibly first found in the UK on 2nd. June 1846 at Southend Harbour, Arran, Scotland; by Mr. David Landsborough, the son of the Rev. D. Landsborough. See records below.
This species may, because of its shape, and because of the habitat where it occurs, be confused with Sea squirts and Sponges, which are far more common. There is also a possibility that the species may be confused with the hydroid Candelabrum cocksii, which may also be found under rocks and stones, which also bears "a stalk".
The historical records for Depastrum cyathiforme, below, are quite interesting. Depastrum cyathiforme, like Craterolophus convolvulus, falls within the suborder Cleistocarpida, and the species may like Craterolophus convolvulus have two generations per year. The abundance of Craterolophus convolvulus is mentioned in the paper "THE SEASONAL ABUNDANCE OF FOUR SPECIES OF STAUROMEDUSAE (COELENTERATA: SCYPHOMEDUSAE) AT PLYMOUTH". By P. G. CORBIN. Journal of the Marine Biological Association. (1979) 59, p. 385-391.
Extracted from articles written by Russel and Gosse who
wrote about this species during the 19th Century.
- Stalk in good sized, mature, specimens 4mm, rarely (7mm) long. Bell 6mm heigh and 5-6 mm. wide. Overall, up to around 13mm long and 6mm wide.
- Stalk and rim of the bell very contractile.
- Species adheres very firmly to the underside, or occasionally on edges of fairly large stones. Incapable of re-fixing itself after having been dislodged.
- Specimens reported as frequent in zones which include middleshore and lowershore, and at very low water.
- Very local in distribution, historically described as generally abundant where it does occur, but sites with just a few scattered individuals also reported.
- Possibly never found in muddy localities nor in spots where there is much 'decaying seaweed'*.
*Sheltered shores may have more decaying species of seaweed in summer months when this species in known to occur. Thus more exposes shores may be more suitable for it. This has been noticed in general for stauromedusae in Mounts Bay, where records tend to tail off in the sumer. Summer records are more frequent on exposed shores in West Cornwall or the north coast of the county. In general, exposed shores will probably have less mud.
Records
Species is widely distributed around the UK, but very local. No records have been found from mainland North Sea coasts of England and Scotland; English Channel coast east of Lulworth Cove, Dorset; or surprisingly Wales and Isles of Scilly. A distribution map appears below, there are no records for the species on the NBN. Note the date of the records on the map, all but one are for records over 100 years old. We do not know the current status of this species around the UK.
The first UK record for Depastrum cyathiforme is the first record featured here.
Scotland
Southend, Arran. (near the natural harbour at). In great plenty at one place, among the trap dykes. Rev. David Landsborough. Found by Rev. David Landsborough's son David Landsborough. 2nd. June 1846.
Ref: Proceedings of the Philosophical Society of Glasgow. VOL. II. MDCCCXLIV-MDCCCXLVIII (1844-1848). XXXVII. — List of Zoophytes found in the West of Scotland. By the Rev. David Landsborough, Saltcoats. Communicated by William Gourlie, Jun. (Pages 235-6). N.B. Date of find worked out from reading "Excursions to Arran, Ailsa Craig, and the two Cumbraes, with reference to the Natural History of these islands". 1851. Chapter XXI. Excursions to Arran. By Rev. David Landsborough.
Corriegills, Arran. In a rockpool. Dr. Landsborough. Pre. 1851.
- Google Maps
A Popular History of British Zoophytes, or Corallines. By the Rev. D. Landsborough, D.D., A.L.S., etc..
1852. p.264.
Bennan Head (west of), South Arran. Reported as alternative name, "West Bennan, Southend, Arran". E.S. Russell. July 1903. Site likely to be the same as reported by Rev. Landsborough at Southend Harbour.
Millport Biological Station, near the Lion Rock, Millport. E.S. Russell. July 1903. - Google Maps
Little Cumbrae (near old castle, east side of L. C.) . E.S. Russell. July 1903. - Google Maps
Near to Millport Marine Biological Station. Richard Elmhirst, F.L.S., Superintendent of the Millport Marine Biological Station. 1909.
Ref: XXV. Notes on Lucernaria quadricornis, Muller, and related species. By Richard Elmhirst, F.L.S., Superintendent of the Millport Marine Biological Station. p.224. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. X -Ninth Series. 1922.
Clyde specimens reported as being ripe (mature) between April and August.
Ref: XXV. Notes on Lucernaria quadricornis, Muller, and related species. By Richard Elmhirst, F.L.S., Superintendent of the Millport Marine Biological Station. p.224. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. X -Ninth Series. 1922.
Orkney Islands
Orkney Isles. Allman. ref. Rep. Brit. Assoc. Aberdeen, 1859.
This is possibly the actual record -
Stromness. Orkney Islands. Mr. Gilchrist. August 1859. "Attached to stones near low water mark, in the neighbourhood of that town."
Ref: On the Structure of Carduella cyathiformis. A contribution to our knowledge of the Lucernariadae. By Prof. Allman, F.R.S., &c. &c. Quarterly Journal of Microscope Science. No. XXXI. April 1860. p. 125-8.
Isle of Man
South side of Port Erin Bay, Port Erin. Isle of Man. Mr. Gamble. 1892.
South side of Port Erin Bay, Port Erin. Isle of Man. 1892. Fairly abundant, though apparently local in its distribution. Attached to the under surface of stones, being apparently most plentiful above the Laminarian zone, though occurring in that zone also more sparingly, but according to my experience of larger size. Walter Ibbotson Beaumont. 1892/3. - Google Maps
Proceedings and Transactions of the Liverpool Biological Society VOL. VII. SESSION 1892-93, 1893. Notes on Work done at Port Erin. p.74-75.
Mr. Beaumont also made some observations on Lucernarians, which will form the subject of a short paper by himself, to be laid before the Biological Society at an early meeting. Mr. Beaumont reports to me that he collected two species of Lucernarians under stones on the shore, between the boat jetty and the breakwater on the south side of Port Erin harbour. The one species was Lucemaria quadricomis, Miiller ; the other he
identifies as Depastrum cyathiforme, Sars, and of this two varieties, a light reddish brown and a dark purple, occur - both being adult.
On researching Depastrum cyathiforme at Port Erin I have discovered images in the form of postcards that were taken a year or two after the discovery of the species at Port Erin. The images are important in that they display the habitat when the species was originally discovered at the location. Comparisons can now be made in relation to changes in habitat should the species not be found at this relatively small area of shore in the future. The image of Port Erin Breakwater would seem to be a particularly important image.
Port Erin breakwater 1894
Port Erin slipway / bay 1893
Port Erin slipway / Bradda Head 1895
Here I must thank The Francis Frith Collection for allowing the use of the images of Port Erin that are featured above. I must also report the images are copyright to The Francis Frith Collection - www.francisfrith.com and may be purchased from Francis Frith.
Poyll Vaaish, Castletown, Isle of Man. Found under limestone rocks. Most plentiful above the Laminarian zone, though occurring in that zone also more sparingly, but of larger size. Walter Ibbotson Beaumont. 1893. - Google Maps
Ref. Fourth volume of reports upon the Fauna of Liverpool Bay and the Neighbouring Seas. Liverpool Marine Biological Committee. 1895.
Port Erin, Isle of Man. Either obtained near the Calf, or on neighbouring shores. March 29 to April 4. 1893.
Ref: The Marine Zoology of the Irish Sea. REPORT OP THE SIXTY-THIRD MEETING OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. 1984.
The Marine Biological Station at Port Erin, Isle of Man, sold specimens of Depastrum cyathiforme for 9d. each, three for 2/-, in January 1899. In comparison, Aurelia aurita were 1/- to 1/6 each. Ref: The Fifth Report upon the Fauna of Liverpool Bay and the Neighbouring Seas. 1900. p.272.
Depastrum cyathiforme features heavily in the following account from the Isle of Man. NOTE on LUCERNARIANS occurring in the neighbourhood of PORT ERIN, ISLE OF MAN. By W. I. Beaumont, EMMANUEL COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. PROCEEDINGS and TRANSACTIONS of the LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. VII., SESSION 1892-93. 1893. p.253.
Port Erin, Poyllvaaish and Langness (fairly common). Under stones, in rock-crevices and on fucoid-covered boulders, at and below LWN. Breeding: gonads full, Apr.-Sept.; spawning during night, Sept.. Dr Alan Southward.
Ref: Marine Fauna of the Isle of Man and its surrounding seas. L.M.B.C Memoir on Typical British Marine Plants and Animals No. 36, Liverpool University Press, 307 pp.. Bruce, J.R., Colman, J.S. and N.S. Jones (1963).
England
NORFOLK
Sheringham has been reported as a good locality for Lucernarians, but I have no record of the species found there. A minute long-stalked Lucernarian obtained on the Norfolk coast by Mr. Geldart appears to be a young specimen of Depastrum cyathiforme, but the record needs confirmation. A HISTORY OF NORFOLK, MARINE ZOOLOGY. THE VICTORIA HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND. DAWSON. 1901.
DORSET
Belmont, Weymouth. (between the Nothe and Byng Cliff). Gosse. Pre. 1854. approx. SY 683 784?
Habitat from Gosse - "consists of a series of low ledges almost horizontal, running east and west, with a very gentle dip to the southward*. They are for the most part densely covered with a matted drapery of Fucus serratus and canaliculatus, which hangs over the northern edges, and conceals the narrow clefts that traverse them. If we go at low water as far down as we can reach, and lift the heavy masses from the ledges, and from the clefts, we shall find them no unprofitable hunting ground. Many kinds of delicate sea-weeds grow under the shadow of the coarse olive Fuci, and among them crawl many Nudibranch Mollusca and other interesting creatures. It was here that I met with the Goblet Lucernaria. N.B. Common name used here to describe Depastrum cyathiforme. Goblet Stalked Jellyfish is currently used as a common name for Craterolophus convolvulus and Manania atlantica. Care needs to be taken here to avoid confusion. It appears Gosse's use of "Goblet Lucernaria" was not widely adopted.
Ref: THE AQUARIUM: UNVEILING OF THE WONDERS OF THE DEEP SEA. By PHILIP HENRY GOSSE, A.L.S. etc. 1854. p. 92-95.
* A site what is possibly now known as Newton's Cove ?. There is evidence on Google Maps of east-west ledges between Newton's Cove and the Nothe. The ledges can also be clearly seen in an early 20th century postcard of Nothe Gardens.
Lulworth Cove.
Rocky ledge which runs out from the eastern point. Gosse. Pre. 1854. (Possibly approx. SY 8271 7969)
Ref: THE AQUARIUM: UNVEILING OF THE WONDERS OF THE DEEP SEA. By PHILIP HENRY GOSSE, A.L.S. etc. 1854. p. 92-95.
Record below would appear to be a general record relating to the above sites.
Weymouth. Gosse. Spring and summer 1853. "The specimens were in each case affixed to the under surfaces of stones at very low water".
Ref: LII. On the Lucernaria cyathiformis of Sars. By P. H. GOSSE, Esq., F.R.S., A.L.S. To the Editors of the Annals and Magazine of Natural History. p. 480-1. Written April 7th. 1860.
DEVON
Widely sought but not found recently (P.G. Corbin). P.G. Corbin actively recorded stauromedusae from the 1950s-70s in South Devon and SE Cornwall.
Lundy Island. Littoral. Harvey. 1951. Ref: 25th Annual Report (1974). The marine fauna of Lundy: Coelenterata. By Keith Hiscock. (External Link to PDF file)
Mount Batten (below), Plymouth, Devon. 15.05.1895.
Ref: Journal of the Marine Biological Association. Ref: Faunistic Notes. January to June 1895. by E. J. Allen, B.Sc, Director of the Plymouth Laboratory. JMBA Vol. IV. 1895-97. p. 50.
CORNWALL
(Records extracted from the ERICA Database)
Hannafore Point, Looe, SW Cornwall. SX25L. SX2552. 1998. This record may be dubious, and is unconfirmed.
Zennor, West Cornwall. SW43. 1907. Several. C. Walton.
Chas Walton found Depastrum cyathiforme attached to the under side of granite stones, at the bottom of a shallow pool, in a small dark cave, just at the top of the Laminarian zone, at Zennor, Cornwall. Species reported to occur with Actinia equina, Cereus pedunculatus and Sagartia troglodytes.There does not appear to be any clearer location detail or date provided for this 1907 record. Ref: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (New Series). Volume 8, Issue 01, September 1907, pp. 47-48.
Gyllyngvase, Falmouth. SW83A. SW8031. Professor Jas. Clark, M.A., D.Sc., A.R.C.S. Pre. 1906.
Mevagissey Bay, South Cornwall. SX04. Professor Jas. Clark, M.A., D.Sc., A.R.C.S. Pre. 1906.
Ref: THE VICTORIA HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND. CORNWALL. WILLIAM PAGE. 1906.
Mount Edgcumbe (shore below), SE Cornwall. 12.02.1895.
Records from the Journal of the Marine Biological Association. Ref: Faunistic Notes. January to June 1895. by E. J. Allen, B.Sc, Director of the Plymouth Laboratory. JMBA Vol. IV. 1895-97. p. 50.
Rame Head, SE Cornwall. SX44E. SX4148. Week before 25th May 1893. As reported in Nature. A WEEKLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. Notes from the Marine Biological Station, Plymouth. - May 25, 1893.*1
*1. Rame Head, SE Cornwall. May 1893. (specimen exhibited a distinct lateral bud).
Ref: Journal of the Marine Biological Association. Ref: Faunistic Notes at Plymouth during 1893-4. By Walter Garstang, M.A.. JMBA Vol. III. p. 216.
Drake's Island, Plymouth South. March 1893.
Ref: Journal of the Marine Biological Association. Ref: Faunistic Notes at Plymouth during 1893-4. By Walter Garstang, M.A.. JMBA Vol. III. p. 216.
Ireland
Dalkey Sound, Dublin. Species reported as occurring on both sides of Dalkey Sound, being found under granite boulders. Taken directly from literature; "Some individuals obtained at Dalkey exhibited a bright brick-red colour shining through their tissues. These individuals were growing among colonies of Amoeroecium proliferum (Aplidium proliferum), the colour of which they resembled". (G. Y. and A. F. Dixon 1893).
Ref: Notes on Depastrum cyathiforme. By G. Y. and A. FRAS. DIXON. Scientific Proceedings Royal Dublin Society. VOL. VIII., PART II. 180-183. Published June 13, 1893.
See Article.
Dalkey Sound (Google Maps)
Dalkey Island (Bing Maps)
Clare Island (Oileán Chliara), east shore of, County Mayo. Between tide-marks, six specimens, collected by George Philip Farran. 1909-11.
Clare Island (Oileán Chliara), in a rockpool near the harbour, County Mayo. Three specimens, collected by Robert Lloyd Praeger. 1909-11.
Species recorded as part of the Clare Island Survey 1909-1911.
Ref: Coelenterata. By Jane Stephens, B.Sc. Read June 10th. Published September 4th 1912. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. XXXI. Section 3. Paper found on the Royal Irish Academy website at http://www.ria.ie/getmedia/12609c46-f129-47c9-8634-f911926d5291/58-Stephens.pdf
Clare Island, County Mayo (Google Maps)
EUROPEAN RECORDS
Canary Islands
Depastrum cyathiforme was also found at Lanzarote in the Canary Islands in 1866. It was originally described as a new species by Haeckel, that of Depastrella carduella. Ref: "System der Acraspeden" p. 376, from Systems der Medusen by Ernst Haeckel.
France
Specimens found between stones of old piers near the marine biological station at Roscoff in July 1976. Ref: Travaux de la Station Biologique de Roscoff (N.S.), 23: 3-4. A record of the stauromedusa Depastrum cyathiforme (M Sars, 1846) in France. den Hartog, JC., 1976.
Norway
Depastrum cyathiforme as Lucernaria cyathiformis. Ref: Fauna littoralis Norvegiae, fasc. I, p.26, taf.3, fign. 8-13. Sars, M. 1846.
There are possibly more European records than have been included here, please get in touch if you know of any. In the 19th century the species was recorded from the Canary Islands off NW Africa to Norway, so would appear to have had quite a wide NE Atlantic distribution. Recent records are very few indeed, the last in 1976 from Roscoff, France; and before that from Lundy Island, Devon, England, in 1951. The current status of this species is unknown and this is of some concern.
-------------------------------------------------------------
It is not known if there are any more recent records for Depastrum cyathiforme from the sites listed above. I would be pleased to receive any further records or photographs of Depastrum cyathiforme for inclusion here, and also photographs of the shore sites mentioned above. E-mail
Records of Depastrum cyathiforme held on the
Cornish ERICA database to January 2014 (html file)
Record of Depastrum cyathiforme from the Isles
of Scilly from the ERICA database to January 2014
Distribution Maps and Links
Maps and links here should only be used as a VERY rough guide. A square in any map may represent one record or hundreds or records. A square can also only be added if there is data to support its placement and it appears there are issues with the sharing of data between local and national databases. Only a certain number of sightings will ever get reported to recording schemes and that in general data will largely be provided from areas closer to human habitation as that's where most recorders live.
2km Distribution of Depastrum cyathiforme in Cornwall
There are currently no records of this species on the UK NBN Gateway map.
Images
There are no images of the species on the Photographic Guide here at the present time. If anyone does have one that can be used here it would be much welcomed.
The status and distribution of this species is very uncertain indeed, and the species has not recently been found to be studied in any detail. To get an insight into this species we have to rely on a series of quite useful historical accounts from the Victorian / Edwardian era, gained from The Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Articles featured on this website -
First UK accounts for Depastrum cyathiforme from Arran, Scotland; by Rev. David Landsborough. Ref: Excursions to Arran, Ailsa Craig, and the two Cumbraes, with reference to the Natural History of these islands. 1851. Chapter XXI. Excursions to Arran. p.304.
Journal of the MBA, Vol. 8, Issue 01, Sept. 1907, pp. 47-48. On Phellia murocincta (Gosse) by Chas. L. Walton. Reference to habitat of Depastrum cyathiforme at Zennor, Cornwall.
NOTE on LUCERNARIANS occurring in the neighbourhood of PORT ERIN, ISLE OF MAN. By W. I. Beaumont, EMMANUEL COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. PROCEEDINGS and TRANSACTIONS of the LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY VOL. VII., SESSION 1892-93. 1893. p.253. Article describes Depastrum cyathiforme in some detail.
The following works were used in compiling and checking information for the Brief Description found on this page -
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom / Volume 40 / Issue 01 / November 1961, pp 292-303.
"Handbook of the Marine Fauna of North-West Europe". Edited by P.J. Hayward and J.S. Ryland.
